CONCRETE ARMOR UNIT STRUCTURAL DESIGN CRITERIA

C.D. Anglin, R.D. Scott, D.J. Turcke

Abstract

A comprehensive examination of the structural response of breakwater armor units to static and wave-induced loads has been completed using a dolos armor unit load cell in a physical breakwater model. Three extensive test series were completed to assess the influence of a wide range of breakwater and sea state parameters, and data reduction and analyses techniques were developed to estimate the structural response as a function of the critical independent parameters. Using these data, improved design criteria, which consider both the hydraulic and structural aspects of breakwater design, have been developed for the dolos unit. Perhaps even more significant is the fact that the basic instrumentation scheme, model testing program, and data reduction and analysis procedures could be utilized to develop improved design procedures for other armor units, or to assist in the development of a new armor unit.